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erine's review
3.0
Many beautiful moments pop out of this minimal, sad narrative of a family fallen apart.
Alcoholism, parental separation.
Alcoholism, parental separation.
sharongao's review
4.0
This book is so soft and sensitive and so very lovely. It's so quiet but real and I hope the raccoon knew that even if he didn't come back, that it was kind and beautiful in the moment.
lilawood's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
traceythompson's review
4.0
Louis Undercover is a beautiful graphic novel. It is a heartbreaking but ultimately very moving story of a young man, as he navigates life with separated parents, an alcoholic father, a teenage crush, and a pet raccoon. The story is simply told, but contains great weight.
The artwork is just wonderful. The use of color is subtle yet extraordinary. .
The artwork is just wonderful. The use of color is subtle yet extraordinary. .
rhidingrainbow's review
3.0
I'm a huge fan of graphic novels- when I was just getting back into reading after stopping due to a traumatic event in my life, graphic novels were my gateway back into that magical world. I love how graphic novels combine literature, art, and oftentimes, poetry. The poetic element of Louis Undercover is one of my favorite parts of how it is written. There were a few lines that when I read them, I went back and read them a few times and just sat and thought about how beautifully it was written. A few lines that particularly stuck out for me:
"and my mom made shortbread cookies/ smelling of butter and/ peace of mind" (page 22)
"that's her, Billie./ She's a spectacled siren, a rainstorm,/ a chocolate fountain, a silent queen.
Billie doesn't say much. I think it's/ because she feels so let down by others that/ she loses the ability to speak.
But when she does speak, the world ignites/ and explodes in clusters of honey and fire./ Billie doesn't make threats-/ She makes promises." (page 50)
I also loved the use of color in the illustrations in Louis Undercover. Most of the illustrations throughout the book are colored with a palate of greys and blue tones, which I think represents very accurately how it feels to be depressed, to be absolutely drowning in emotions, like Louis's father is, and like his mother pretends not to be. Occasionally there are splashes of yellow- like when Louis's mother tries to be cheerful, or when the family is together and joyful like the good old days, or when Louis is around or thinking about the girl he has a crush on, Billie. The last chapter of the book is filled with yellow and filled with hope.
Louis Undercover was a very quick read for me. Usually, when I am reading graphic novels, the combination of art and poetry and storytelling makes me pause and read at a much slower pace than I usually do to take it all in. That was not the case with this book, I read it very quickly, and then I read it again. I think that this book would be great for reluctant readers in elementary or middle school, and would be especially interesting to children who are dealing with their own problems with their families.
"and my mom made shortbread cookies/ smelling of butter and/ peace of mind" (page 22)
"that's her, Billie./ She's a spectacled siren, a rainstorm,/ a chocolate fountain, a silent queen.
Billie doesn't say much. I think it's/ because she feels so let down by others that/ she loses the ability to speak.
But when she does speak, the world ignites/ and explodes in clusters of honey and fire./ Billie doesn't make threats-/ She makes promises." (page 50)
I also loved the use of color in the illustrations in Louis Undercover. Most of the illustrations throughout the book are colored with a palate of greys and blue tones, which I think represents very accurately how it feels to be depressed, to be absolutely drowning in emotions, like Louis's father is, and like his mother pretends not to be. Occasionally there are splashes of yellow- like when Louis's mother tries to be cheerful, or when the family is together and joyful like the good old days, or when Louis is around or thinking about the girl he has a crush on, Billie. The last chapter of the book is filled with yellow and filled with hope.
Louis Undercover was a very quick read for me. Usually, when I am reading graphic novels, the combination of art and poetry and storytelling makes me pause and read at a much slower pace than I usually do to take it all in. That was not the case with this book, I read it very quickly, and then I read it again. I think that this book would be great for reluctant readers in elementary or middle school, and would be especially interesting to children who are dealing with their own problems with their families.
medievaloracle's review
4.0
Another beautiful, heartbreaking book from one of my favorite graphic novel teams. But like Jane, The Fox and Me, I struggle to identify the child I would hand this to. Until I find them, I will give this to every adult I run into.